(Editor’s note: The recently published Spirit of Rowan featured a story by Salisbury Academy Upper School student Kylie Bailey about a field trip to meet Dr. Wayne Koontz, who shared tales of the Yadkin River’s rich past. The field trip was part of a larger course of study at the downtown-Salisbury school. Other students chronicled what they learned on various field trip and those stories are being shared throughout upcoming Salisbury Post editions. Today’s article is by Luke Bardinas.)

By Luke Bardinas

For the Salisbury Post

Prelude

Salisbury Academy’s Upper School environmental science class students read Mark Wineka’s short book titled, “The River Runs Through Us,” which was published by the Salisbury Post in 1998. The book is a compilation of Wineka’s news articles about the conditions of the Yadkin River in the late 1990s. Twenty-five years have passed since the book’s publication; this compilation of articles intends to inform Rowan County residents about the current status of the river we all rely on.

A River Runs Through Us

Our river, the Yadkin River, could easily be taken for granted despite the fact that it provides us with a very crucial resource. The Yadkin River gives us our water. Mark Wineka looked deeply at our river when he wrote A River Runs Through Us and considered the conditions of the Yadkin River in the 1990s.

From his canoe trip down the river with Dr. John Wear, to conversations with landowners and scientists, Wineka described the state of the Yadkin through the perspective of various stakeholders. Reading the book and its hypothesis for the future of the River led our class to ask, “So, what is the state of the Yadkin now?”

Sediment and erosion toll on the Yadkin

Although some improvement in water quality was seen in the late 1990s, most sources Wineka quoted were concerned about the increasing development and population growth around the river. 

The Yadkin River has retained its brown, murky appearance, evidence of the high levels of erosion within its watershed. When our class talked with Edgar Miller, The Yadkin Riverkeeper, he explained that high sediment loads had flowed into our river as a result of runoff during rainfall events. Excessive sedimentation negatively impacts water clarity, aquatic habitat quality and streambed stability, affecting the survival of aquatic organisms and altering the river’s physical characteristics. 

As the soil around the Yadkin erodes, it brings with it many nutrients. Each year roughly 2,338 tons of phosphorus and 13,084 tons of nitrogen go into the river. As the nutrients rise in the Yadkin, so do the amount of algae that flourish in the nutrient-rich water, a process known as eutrophication. 

The devastating impact of eutrophication

The eutrophication process is one of the most concerning problems facing the Yadkin River. It occurs when nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, flow from various sources such as agricultural runoff, sewage discharge and fertilizer use. This provides nutrients to aquatic organisms, particularly algae, leading to the formation of algal blooms. These algal blooms may seem inconsequential at first glance, only painting the river’s surface with vibrant hues of green. As the algae multiply, thick mats are formed on the water’s surface, blocking sunlight to aquatic plants. Algal blooms release toxins into the water, posing serious health risks to both humans and other wildlife. These toxins can contaminate drinking water supplies, endangering public health. 

As the algae eventually die off, they sink to the riverbed. Their decomposition consumes large quantities of oxygen. This process, known as oxygen depletion, or hypoxia, creates dead zones where oxygen is heavily depleted, killing off fish and other aquatic life.

In his book, Wineka noted that algal blooms had plagued the Yadkin. There are still plenty of algal blooms being reported in the river, the most recent one near Salisbury being on the 10th of July, 2023, and there are multiple locations in the river that are not recommended for swimming. 

What is causing these changes?

There are many factors contributing to the overabundance of sediment and nutrients in the Yadkin. The primary culprits include population growth, fertilizer runoff and increasing sediment. 

The Yadkin Riverkeeper mentioned that significant population growth along the Yadkin River has led to increased urbanization and development along its watershed.  With urbanization comes greater pressure on the river ecosystem due to residential and industrial waste disposal, sewage discharge, and deforestation for the rapid expansion of infrastructure. The Riverkeeper’s Roadmap to a Cleaner Yadkin states that developed land within the High Rock Lake watershed is anticipated to more than double from 13.3 percent to 32.2 percent by the year 2060, while forests and agricultural land continues to decrease. The most significantly stressed watersheds are located in urbanized areas (Winston-Salem, Salisbury, Statesville and Thomasville), while watersheds in more rural areas show lower levels of stress.

This rapid population growth has increased the issues with fertilizer runoff and sediment accumulation in the Yadkin River. As urbanization intensifies, agricultural practices expand to meet the demands of a growing population, leading to increased use of fertilizers. These chemicals are washed into the river during rainfall, contributing to nutrient pollution and algal blooms. Additionally, as more land is developed for housing and infrastructure, soil erosion becomes a major concern, with sediment washing into the river, degrading water quality and aquatic habitats even more.

Taking action to protect our river

The Yadkin River currently faces many challenges that stem from urbanization, excessive sedimentation and agricultural practices. However, with effort and collective action, we can mitigate these threats and restore the river to its healthier days. By adopting simple, yet impactful actions, such as reducing water usage, properly disposing of waste, advocating for sustainable agricultural practices and development policies, and supporting local initiatives aimed at preserving the river’s health, we can all make a difference. We can ensure that  generations to come shall inherit a much cleaner and healthier Yadkin River, teeming with life and energy. It is important that we stay committed to safeguarding this priceless resource that benefits all of us.